After completing a journalism degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast, I joined the Sunshine Coast Daily in 2010. As the Daily’s police reporter, the round is unprectible, diverse and challenging, but also exciting and is a dream position for me. In between heading to emergency incidents, I love getting the chance to write about amateur and professional theatre and the arts. I’ve also worked in various community roles at the Caboolture News, Buderim Chronicle and Caloundra Weekly. Having...

AUSTRALIA'S secret swimming spots have been revealed in the first authoritative book on the nation's best beaches.

But Sunshine Coast beaches barely made the cut.

The book 101 Best Australian Beaches was released this week and just one was on the Sunshine Coast.

The secluded and exclusive Tea Tree Bay was included, but not popular tourist spots such as Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland, Noosa's Main Beach and Kings Beach.

Authors Andy Short and Brad Farmer visited Australia's 11,761 mainland beaches on a mission to find the best of the best.

Mr Short is described as the "world's foremost authority on beaches" after writing 12 books and hundreds of scientific articles about coastal areas. Mr Farmer is passionate about coastal preservation and co-wrote the first Surfing Guide to Australia.

In their critique, the pair listed Tea Tree's long easy waves as being a favourite with longboard riders since the 1960s.

They said it was one of the fine pockets of beaches dotting the three-kilometre coastal walk from Noosa Beach through the national park.

Noosa Heads Boardriders contest director Shannon Neil said he was happy to share the beauty of Tea Tree with the rest of Australia.

"It is a pretty special place, and probably one of my favourites to surf," he said.

"It's an amazing place and plenty of locals know it is there. We're pretty lucky to be living here."

Beaches were judged on the views, sand, surf, bordering headlands, natural experiences and the historical or human stories behind them.

Noosa Tourism general manager Damian Massingham said Tea Tree Beach was just one example of many of why the Noosa Biosphere was Queensland's first biosphere reserve.

"Tea Tree is one of Noosa's hidden gems and it is a beautiful little stretch of beach that's a favourite for many locals," Mr Massingham said.

"It is popular as a surf break and has amazing rock pools kids love to explore.

"This recognises how man and nature work together. Tea Tree is so accessible, just a short walk through Noosa National Park, yet you feel like you're a world away."